Sizemore finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, including one with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. He's 1-for-16 on the homestand and is batting .218 with a .293 on-base percentage overall.

"(He's) out front on changeups to righthanders," Farrell said, "and the breaking ball running away from him is giving him some issues."

Sizemore was the feel-good story of spring training, coming back after missing the past two seasons with assorted injuries and beating out touted rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. for a spot as the Opening Day center fielder. But Sizemore has since ceded center field to the defensively superior Bradley, and while he has proven capable of staying healthy, his overall lack of production at the plate is prompting questions of how long the Sox will stick with him.

"There's ongoing discussion, not just today but there has been for some time,” Farrell said. “We're trying to get the best read we can on our guys here. That doesn't suggest there's any change imminent. We're trying to find the right combination.”

General manager Ben Cherington said the Red Sox are “optimistic” that Sizemore will get better as he continues to get more at-bats, but also noted that “production matters.”

One possible replacement: Daniel Nava is batting only .267 with a .780 OPS (but .283 with an .872 OPS against right-handed pitching) in Triple A.